About Us
Our Vision and Mission
Vision: To be one of higher education’s best internal audit teams and the University’s most trusted and valued resource for assurance, advice, and impactful change.
Mission: To strengthen UT Dallas’ ability to create, protect, and sustain value by providing the board and management with risk-based and objective assurance, advice, insight, and foresight in the following areas:
- Achievement of the University’s mission and objectives.
- Governance, risk management, and control processes.
- Decision-making and oversight.
- Reputation and credibility with the University’s stakeholders.
- Ability to serve the public interest.
Services
The Office of Audit and Advisory Services provides independent, objective assurance and advisory services designed to add value and improve UT Dallas operations.
Assurance Services
Assurance services are objective assessments to provide assurance to stakeholders.
Assurance engagements are typically chosen based on an annual risk assessment or other requirement. These engagements include:
- Financial and Operational Audits. Designed to provide management with an independent appraisal of financial and operating activities regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of operations. Range from audits of university-wide processes to risk-based departments, centers, schools, and divisions.
- Compliance Audits. Ensure compliance with various policies, laws, and regulations.
- Information Technology (IT) Audits. Examine controls with an IT structure.
Advisory Services
Advisory services provide advice without providing assurance, and the nature and scope of services are subject to agreement with the stakeholders.
Generally performed at specific request of management or a department and are intended to assist in solving problems, process improvements, and designing control systems. Examples include:
- Advisory reviews of operations and processes.
- Participation on committees and special projects, including IT implementations.
- Providing training on internal controls, fraud, university risks.
Investigations
Fraud investigations are performed in response to allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse based on hotline calls, audits, or other direct notifications made to audit (emails, calls, etc.).
Audit Training and Presentations
Want to learn more about what Audit is and what we could do for your department? We have a few training opportunities for you and your team! Please contact the Chief Audit Executive if you would like for Audit to come to your department or area and give one of our presentations.
Presentation Options
Course Title: The Three F’s of Fraud: Fundamentals, Flags, and Foils
Synopsis: Universities across the country have lost millions of dollars due to fraud each year. As a member of the university community, understanding the risks of fraud and how to prevent it will help you minimize the risks of fraud occurring at UT Dallas.
Course Title: Clues to Solving the Mystery of Internal Audit
Synopsis: Is Internal Audit a mystery to you? Do you wonder what happens during an audit? Join us to solve the mystery by learning some clues about the audit process, what auditors look for, and how you can be better prepared for an audit.
Course Title: Rocking the Top 20 University Risks
Synopsis: Bad things can happen if we don’t effectively manage our risks. That’s why it’s important for everyone to work together to manage risks with the right amount of controls in place. Everyone shares this responsibility to help the University achieve its goals and strategic plan.
Core Values
Integrity: We adhere to moral and ethical principles and demonstrate honesty and the professional courage to act based on relevant facts.
Objectivity: We perform our duties with an unbiased mental attitude that allows us to make professional judgments, fulfill our responsibilities, and achieve the Purpose of Internal Auditing without compromise.
Excellence: We strive for high quality audit work through continuous improvement and professional development, applying best practices and innovative approaches to auditing.
Service: We support UTD’s mission through value-added audits and advisory services and being responsive to the needs of our stakeholders.
Confidentiality: We take confidentiality seriously and do not disclose information gathered during the audit to anyone outside audit without the appropriate authority.
Collaboration: We work alongside university employees, building strong relationships with university stakeholders, encouraging open communication and teamwork to support institutional goals.
Staff
Audit and Advisory Services staff have a wide array of experience and continuing professional education to help provide an in-depth understanding of the University’s culture, systems, and processes.
Audit Internship Program
Audit and Advisory Services offers real-life internal audit work experience to select UT Dallas School of Management graduate students. Learn more about the Internal Audit Education Program.
The Office of Audit and Advisory Services partners with the Internal Auditing Partnership Program with the Naveen Jindal School of Management’s Center for Internal Auditing Excellence. Every fall and spring semester, UT Dallas graduate students taking the Internal Audit course (ACCT 6380) complete a project in which they gain internal audit work experience by partnering with UT Dallas internal auditors and other local internal audit departments.
What is the Difference between Audit and Compliance at UT Dallas?
Generally, Internal Audit is an independent assurance function that evaluates university operations in all areas: financial, operational, information technology, compliance, and other projects.
When to Seek Audit Assistance?
- You have questions internal controls, such as how to separate duties; how to evaluate your operations for effectiveness and efficiency; how to safeguard your property, information; how to assess your departmental risks; how to minimize fraud risks.
- You would like to request a change in leadership audit or a consulting review of your operations.
- You suspect fraud.
Generally, Compliance is a management function that helps ensure compliance with policies and procedures and facilitates compliance training.
When to Seek Compliance Assistance?
- You have questions on policies and procedures.
- You have questions about compliance training.